Getting arrested is perhaps not a usual occurrence for you. If this is your first experience, you’re probably overtaken by panic and fear when the policeman tells you you’re under arrest. But you probably already know that panic isn’t going to get you out of this undesirable situation, so stay calm. An arrest doesn’t mean you’re certainly going to spend time in jail. The Florida State Law dictates what needs to be done from this point on; so all you need is a little guidance and you’ll be fine.
Here’s a three-day-plan that you can follow to navigate through this situation safely and smoothly:
The First Day
When arrested, don’t resist or display aggressive behavior. Stay calm and cooperate. Any misbehavior might go against you in trial. And if you’ve been called to the police station, chances are you may get arrested. If you drive yourself, your car might end up in the police station’s parking lot for God knows how long. So the better option is to get a ride with someone.
It’s also not a great idea to call friends and discuss your matter with them. At this point, you can’t be sure who your true friend is and you never know what statements they may give to the police. They may act in their self-interest, so don’t talk to people just yet. Needless to say, make sure you don’t have any illegal items on you. Not only will this reflect badly on you and your case, it might just make way for a new case altogether.
While you’re going to the police station, take the time to get in touch with a bail bondsman to set arrangement for your pretrial release in motion. And always remember, “You have the right to remain silent” by constitution. So don’t say anything, don’t sign anything and ask for an attorney as soon as a police officer comes to you.
The Second Day
Chances are you’ll spend the night behind bars. You can use the payphone at the station to make a phone call where you can reach out to someone who can help you get out of jail. Whatever you say, remember that the call is probably being recorded and monitored. So don’t say anything suspicious; in fact, the less, the better.
The main goal for this day is to get out of jail without any trouble. Once a bail has been set in the initial hearing, you can seek help from a reliable bail bonds company like Lee Calhoun Bail Bonds in Gainesville to help with your release. In Florida, the agency usually requires a 10% fee and collateral to work on your case.
Once you’ve been bailed out of jail, pay close attention to your finances and curtail unnecessary expenses. Review your credit sources like credit cards and try keeping as much money in your pocket as possible.
The Third Day
We advise that you still don’t speak to anyone about your case other than your attorney. And whatever happens, don’t contact the victim or possible witnesses. This mistake can get your bail revoked and worse, act against you during trial. Usually, the court passes a non-contact order under which you’re not allowed to get in touch with the victim.
If the charges against you are serious, you may want to consider the future of your children. A criminal charge may affect your custody rights in case you’re going through a custody dispute or a divorce. So you should get in touch with a lawyer and have this sorted out in case things go for the worse.
Also learn how to look up your case progress online. According to the Florida Public Records Acts, criminal cases are public records and are thus, public information. Generally, public information can be found on State Records Florida. Lastly, be careful not to get into any more trouble and cooperate with your attorney throughout the trial.